David Beckham Biography

Quick Facts

NAME: David Beckham
OCCUPATION: Soccer Player
BIRTH DATE: May 02, 1975 (Age: 38)
PLACE OF BIRTH: Leytonstone, London, England, United Kingdom
Full Name: David Robert Joseph Beckham
AKA: David Beckham
ZODIAC SIGN: Taurus

Best Known For

Soccer great David Beckham has played for Manchester United, England, Real Madrid and the L.A. Galaxy. He is married to Victoria Beckham, also known as Posh from the Spice Girls.

Quiz

Think you know about Biography?

Answer questions and see how you rank against other players.

Play Now

David and Victoria Beckham - Famous Couple watch more videos (1)

Print Cite This

David Beckham

APA Style

David Beckham. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 05:44, May 23, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/david-beckham-9204321.

Harvard Style

David Beckham. [Internet]. 2013. The Biography Channel website. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/david-beckham-9204321 [Accessed 23 May 2013].

MLA Style

"David Beckham." 2013. The Biography Channel website. May 23 2013, 05:44 http://www.biography.com/people/david-beckham-9204321.

MHRA Style

"David Beckham," The Biography Channel website, 2013, http://www.biography.com/people/david-beckham-9204321 [accessed May 23, 2013].

Chicago Style

"David Beckham," The Biography Channel website, http://www.biography.com/people/david-beckham-9204321 (accessed May 23, 2013).

CBE/CSE Style

David Beckham [Internet]. The Biography Channel website; 2013 [cited 2013 May 23] Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/david-beckham-9204321.

Bluebook Style

David Beckham, http://www.biography.com/people/david-beckham-9204321 (last visited May 23, 2013).

AMA Style

David Beckham. The Biography Channel website. 2013. Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/david-beckham-9204321. Accessed May 23, 2013.

Synopsis

Soccer star David Beckham was born on May 2, 1975, in London, England. A phenom almost from the moment he could first kick a soccer ball, Beckham began playing for Manchester United, England's legendary soccer team, at age 18, and was a starter by age 20. In 2007, he signed a five-year, $250 million contract with the L.A. Galaxy. In May 2013, he announced plans to retire.

Quotes

"If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over 100 times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy. I'm fortunate to have realized those dreams."

– David Beckham

"The spotlight will always be on me, but it's something I'm learning to live with as the years go by."

– David Beckham

"I wouldn't have achieved what I have done today without my family. I'm grateful for my parents' sacrifice, which made me realize my dreams."

– David Beckham

"I owe everything to Victoria and the kids, who have given me the inspiration and support to play at the highest level for such a long period."

– David Beckham

Early Years

Born on May 2, 1975, in Leytonstone, London, England, to parents Ted Beckham, an appliance repairman, and his wife Sandra, a hair stylist, David Beckham was the family's only son. A middle child between two sisters, Beckham grew up with parents and siblings who were committed fans of Manchester United, England's legendary soccer franchise.

At an early age, Beckham showed his own promise as a footballer, winning the coveted Bobby Charlton Soccer Schools National Skills competition at 11 years old. His talent soon caught the notice of Manchester United team officials, who asked him to try out for the club's youth league. By the age of 16, Beckham had left home and was playing for United's training division. Two years later he made the club, and by 1995, he was a full-time starter.

World Wide Star

Beckham wasted little time in making a splash on the English soccer landscape. The talented goal scorer was named the Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year in 1997. A year later, he was one of the leading faces of England's World Cup team.

His bravado and good looks offered up plenty of off-field potential, too. In 1998, Beckham, who'd already signed a deal with Adidas, netted $13 million in endorsement deals. The Beckham brand only enhanced in value when he met Victoria Adams, also known as "Posh Spice" of the Spice Girls, in 1997. The two quickly fell in love, and on March 4, 1999, they had their first child, a son they named Brooklyn Joseph. Two months later, Beckham and Victoria tied the knot at a lavish $800,000 wedding at a castle outside of Dublin, Ireland.

On the field, Beckham didn't miss a beat. In 1999, he led Manchester United to the Premier League title, the FA Cup championship, and the Champions League title. Thanks to a last-minute free kick against Greece in 2001, England qualified for the 2002 World Cup. That same year, Beckham signed a three-year $22 million contract to remain with Manchester United.

But Beckham's time with United proved to be shorter than anyone thought. In 2003, he was acquired by Real Madrid in a stunner of a deal that brought to light Beckham's growing rift with Manchester's manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

Spanish soccer fans were thrilled to have their archrival join their team. Americans, meanwhile, were just getting to know him with the release of the movie, Bend it Like Beckham, a delightful movie that tells the story of a young girl who bucks her family's traditional ways, and falls in love with English soccer.

Coming to America

America's fascination with Beckham and his decade of dominance culminated in 2007, when the soccer great moved across the Atlantic to sign a reported five-year, $250 million deal with the L.A. Galaxy.